'The Annihilation Score' in the 'Laundry Files' series by Charles Stross is a departure from the previous books, shifting the perspective from Bob to his wife Mo. The story follows Mo as she navigates a world where magic is becoming more prevalent, leading people to believe in superheroes. Mo is tasked with organizing a team of emerging superheroes to combat the rising menace, all while dealing with the challenges of observing regulations and managing her personal life, including her strained marriage to Bob. The narrative explores themes of bureaucratic infighting, Lovecraftian horror, and the looming paranormal apocalypse, providing a satirical yet suspenseful take on urban fantasy and the supernatural world.
The writing style in 'The Annihilation Score' is characterized by dry British humor, a mix of horror and comedy, and a focus on bureaucratic absurdity amidst the impending apocalypse. The plot delves into Mo's internal struggles, her relationships with other characters, and the challenges she faces as she tries to balance her role in the Laundry with her new responsibilities in handling a team of superheroes. The novel offers a fresh perspective on the series, introducing Mo as a complex protagonist grappling with personal demons and professional dilemmas in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains medium content warnings for themes of psychological trauma, demonic possession, and marital strife.
Has Romance?
The book features a medium level of romance, primarily focusing on the relationship dynamics between Mo and Bob, amidst the complexities of their marriage.
From The Publisher:
From the Hugo Award-winning author of The Rhesus Chart comes another supernatural case from The Laundry Files…
Dominique O'Brien-her friends call her Mo-lives a curious double life with her husband, Bob Howard. To the average civilian, they're boring middle-aged civil servants. But within the labyrinthine secret circles of Her Majesty's Government, they're operatives working for the nation's occult security service known as the Laundry, charged with defending Britain against dark supernatural forces threatening humanity.
Unfortunately, one of those supernatural threats has come between Mo and Bob. An antique violin, an Erich Zahn original, made of white human bone, was designed to produce music capable of slaughtering demons. Mo is the custodian of this unholy instrument. It invades her dreams and yearns for the blood of her colleagues-and her husband. And despite Mo's proficiency as a world-class violinist, it cannot be controlled…
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About the Author:
Charles Stross was born in Leeds, England, in 1964. He has worked as a pharmacist, software engineer and freelance journalist, but now writes full-time. To date, Stross has won three Hugo Awards and been nominated twelve times. He has also…
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